Alabama Officer Buys Eggs for Shoplifting Suspect Who Wanted to Feed Her Kids

A woman caught shoplifting eggs in Tarrant, Ala., Saturday didn't leave with handcuffs and a court date. Thanks to a Tarrant police officer, she left with food for her family.

Officer William Stacy was called to a Dollar General when employees caught the woman trying to steal a dozen eggs, Tarrant Police Chief Dennis Reno told AL.com.

The woman had her young children in the car. She told Officer Stacy that she was only stealing because she was trying to feed her children.

Stacy talked with Dollar General, and they said they wouldn't prosecute. So Stacy made an offer.

"He said, 'If I give you these eggs, will you promise that you won't shoplift anymore?'" Reno said. "He knew that she was telling the truth and that's the reason he went in and bought the eggs."

Stacy bought the eggs and gave them to her, Reno said. The woman then asked if she could give him a hug.